MICROWAVE ENGINEERING LABORATORY

DPT. OF ETC, IIIT BHUBANSWAR

EXPERIMENT-7

MEASUREMENT OF THE GAIN AND POLAR PATTERN OF HORN ANTENNA

OBJECTIVES

To determine gain using two identical horn antennas and plot the radiation pattern

APPARATUS REQUIRED

Sl Name of the Specification Qty.

no. Equipments and
Components
1 Gunn Oscillator 8.6 to 11.6 GHz 1
2 Gunn Power Supply Min. Output Power: 10 mW 1
3 Isolator Min. Isolation:20 dB; 1 1
Min. Insertion Loss:0.4 dB
4 Frequency Meter 8.2 to 12.4 GHz 1
5 Variable Attenuator Average Power:2 W; 1 1
Max. Insertion Loss:0.2 dB
6 Detector Mount IN23 1
7 Horn antennas 2
8 Microwave power 1
meter
9 VSWR meter Frequency :1 KHz; 1
Range :70 dB Minima in
10 dB Steps

Theory:

In microwave communications, the transmission and reception of microwave signal through

free space, is a must. Antenna acts as an impedance transformer between the free space and
source in this communication. The fundamental antenna parameters are field patterns,
directivity, bandwidth and gain. A waveguide may behave as an antenna if its open end is
matched to free space intrinsic impedance. Such an antenna will have shapes like that of horns
and are called as horn antenna. The horn is a very simple form of antenna, being no more than a
flare-out shape of the waveguide walls. It improves the match between the waveguide and free space,
and narrows the angle over which energy is radiated. By concentrating the radiation in a particular
direction, the power radiated in that direction is increased (at the expense of reduced power in other
directions). The factor by which it is increased is called the gain of the transmitting antenna.
 MICROWAVE ENGINEERING LABORATORY
DPT. OF ETC, IIIT BHUBANSWAR

RADIATION PATTERN:
The radiation pattern of an antenna is a diagram of electric field strength. Here, the directional
characteristics of an antenna would ideally be shown as a three-dimensional graph in which, for
each direction, the radius from a central point is proportional to the power density at a given
distance. For practical reasons, the radiation pattern is normally shown by two-dimensional
graphs. 3-D radiation patterns are difficult to draw and visualize in a 2-D plane like on a piece of
paper. So usually they are drawn in two principal 2-D planes which are orthogonal to each other
(E- and H- planes). E plane(H-plane) is usually the plane in which there are maximum electric
(magnetic) fields for a linearly polarized antenna.

3dB BEAM WIDTH

This is the angle between the two points on a main lobe where the power intensity. The
antenna pattern measurement is always done in far field region . Far field pattern is achieved at
a minimum distance of 2D
-------- (For rectangular Horn "Antenna")
o
Where D is size of the broad wall of horn aperture o is free space wave length.
It is very important to avoid reflection , Antenna measurement is done at outdoor ranges or
in anechoic chamber made of absorbing materials.

Antenna measurement are mostly made with unknown antenna as receiver . Therefore
several methods are there to measure the gain of antenna One method is to compare the
unknown antenna with standard gain antenna with known gain . Another method is to use
identical antennas. One as a transmitter and other as receiver and from following formula
the gain can be calculated. Pt o G1 G2
Pr = --------------------
(4 S)

Where Pt is transmitter power ,Pr is received power , G1 , G2 is gain of transmitting and

receiving Antenna, S is the radial distance between two antenna.

o is free space wavelength .

If both transmitting and receiving antenna are identical having gain G then,
Pt o G 4 S Pr
Pr = --------------- , G = ----------- ---
(4 S) o Pt
In the above equation Pt, Pr , S and can be measured and gain can be computed. As from the
above equation it is not necessary to know the absolute value of Pt and Pr . Only ratio is
required ,Which can be measured by VSWR meter.
 MICROWAVE ENGINEERING LABORATORY
DPT. OF ETC, IIIT BHUBANSWAR

TRANSMITTER RECEIVER

FIG.1: SET UP FOR THE ANTENNA GAIN & PATTERN MEASUREMENT

PROCEDURE

A. Radiation Pattern Plotting

1. Set the components and equipments as shown in Fig. 1

2. Same type of transmitting and receiving antenna (horn antenna) are used, keeping the axis of
both antennas in the same axis line. To satisfy the Far-field Pattern a space of about 15 cm
between antennas may be tried at the start.

3. Energize the microwave source, for maximum output at desired frequency with square
wave amplitude and frequency of modulating signal.

4. The variable attenuator is set accordingly for maximum deflection at the VSWR meter.

5. Align the antennas at 0 directions. Notice that antennas must be similarly polarized.
 MICROWAVE ENGINEERING LABORATORY
DPT. OF ETC, IIIT BHUBANSWAR

6. Attenuator is adjusted for deflection near maximum (possibly at 0-dB).

7.Rotate the receiving antenna about the centre of the broad edges of its aperture (opening).
Set the angle to 10, 20, 30 and 40 in each direction. Record the meter reading in each case.
They are plotted on a graph sheet

8. Repeat the above step but this time turning the receiver to the right and note down the
readings.

9. Draw a relative power pattern ie, o/p vs angle.

10. From diagram 3 dB beam width is determined.

B. Gain measurement:

1. Set the components and equipments as shown in Fig. 1

2. Same type of transmitting and receiving antenna (horn antenna) are used, keeping the axis of
both antennas in the same axis line.

3. Keep the range dB switch of VSWR meter at 50 dB position with gain control full.

4. Energize the Gunn oscillator (or Klystron Amplifier) for maximum output at desired
frequency.

5. Obtain full scale deflection at VSWR meter with variable attenuator.

6. Without touching gain control knob, replace the transmitting horn by detector mount and
change the appropriate range dB position to get the deflection on scale. Note and record the
range dB position and deflection of VSWR meter.

7.Calculate the difference in dB between the power measured in step 4 and 6. Then calculate
the gain as explained in the following example.

EXAMPLE
Suppose that a deflection of 5 dB on 20 dB range dB position was obtained in step 5, the
difference between 4 and 5 is 50 (20 5) = 25 dB. Convert the dB into power ratio. As for
above example, it will come out to be 316, which will be Pt/Pr. Calculate gain by following
equation:
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DPT. OF ETC, IIIT BHUBANSWAR

4 S Pt
G = --------- -----
o Pr

In our above example, suppose operating frequency is 9GHz. So, 0 l = 3.33cm. c is velocity of
light and is 3 10 10 cm/sec. Suppose the distance between antennas is 15 cm.

8. Convert G into dB in above example

G dB = 10 log 318 = 15.02 dB

9. The same setup can be used for other frequency of operation.

Table 1 Meter deflection reading for movement of antenna by respective degree

Angle Setting 0 10 20 30 40
Power Meter
reading
/VSWR meter
reading
--- left side
Power Meter
reading
/VSWR meter
reading
--- Right side